Teacher may need more discretion

Published: Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 9:47 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 9:48 a.m.

To The Editor: What constitutes academic freedom? Jennifer Parrack-Rogers
raised an excellent question her May 4 article. However, perhaps an equally
important question is this: who decides what constitutes academic freedom?

Included in the aforementioned article is a definition of academic freedom
from a student orientation course textbook used at Blue Ridge Community
College.

This textbook defines it in terms of the teacher's privilege to
instruct in an "unobstructed atmosphere," free from all restraints by
government, parents, school administration, etc. I am thankful to live in a
country where teachers are (theoretically) able to discuss controversial
subjects in classroom without being censored for their religious or
political beliefs.

However, inasmuch as they are allowed this freedom,
teachers are expected by the school, the community, and the students to
conduct classroom discussions in a responsible manner that is — not
censored by, but sensitive to the moral beliefs of the students.

Ms.
Parrack-Rogers describes several situations of students complaining because
of the content of the course. If this has been a common occurrence in her
classroom, then perhaps it is not a reflection upon an over-sensitive
student body, but upon a teacher who needs to use a little more discretion
when choosing her curriculum.

To The Editor: What constitutes academic freedom? Jennifer Parrack-Rogers
raised an excellent question her May 4 article. However, perhaps an equally
important question is this: who decides what constitutes academic freedom?<p>
Included in the aforementioned article is a definition of academic freedom
from a student orientation course textbook used at Blue Ridge Community
College. <p>This textbook defines it in terms of the teacher's privilege to
instruct in an "unobstructed atmosphere," free from all restraints by
government, parents, school administration, etc. I am thankful to live in a
country where teachers are (theoretically) able to discuss controversial
subjects in classroom without being censored for their religious or
political beliefs. <p>However, inasmuch as they are allowed this freedom,
teachers are expected by the school, the community, and the students to
conduct classroom discussions in a responsible manner that is  not
censored by, but sensitive to the moral beliefs of the students. <p>Ms.
Parrack-Rogers describes several situations of students complaining because
of the content of the course. If this has been a common occurrence in her
classroom, then perhaps it is not a reflection upon an over-sensitive
student body, but upon a teacher who needs to use a little more discretion
when choosing her curriculum.<p>
Sharon Long <p>Mills River